This article was orignally published by CBC
Maya Laylor celebrates Weightlifting gold for Canada
The 27-year-old claimed a combined lift of 228kg to set a new Games record.
on Tue 2 Aug 2022
Maya Laylor broke two Commonwealth records on her way to clinching Weightlifting gold for Canada in the women’s 76kg final at the NEC.
The 27-year-old claimed a combined lift of 228kg to set a new Games record as she added a record 128kg in the clean and jerk after a lift of 100kg in the snatch.
Nigeria’s Taiwo Liadi, 20, took home the silver medal after setting two Junior Commonwealth records on her way to a combined 216kg, following her record 120kg lift in the clean and jerk, while bronze medallist Maximina Uepa of Nauru completed the podium, just one kilogram shy of second.
Laylor admitted it had been tough going at times as weightlifting is not state funded in Canada but was thankful to her father Clance – who is also her coach – for his support.
She said: “It’s very difficult and I just keep the faith and keep going for myself and my family.
“I couldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for my dad. He’s a huge part of my success.”
Laylor was delighted with her title and grateful for the crowd’s encouragement, adding: “I feel amazing. I’m so happy to win a gold medal for Canada.
I just believed I could do anything my coach put on the bar and I just stayed focused. —Maya Laylor
“All the cheers encouraged me and the energy helped to keep me going.
“I just believed I could do anything my coach put on the bar and I just stayed focused. I was tired but I’m proud of myself.”
Samoa’s Gold Coast runner-up in the 85kg competition, Don Opeloge, did one better as he broke three Commonwealth Games records to win the men’s 96kg title for a combined lift of 381kg.
The 23-year-old lifted 171kg in the snatch before adding a further 210kg in the clean and jerk to finish a massive 35kg ahead of Vikas Thakur, who medalled for the third consecutive Games to clinch India’s eighth Weightlifting medal of Birmingham 2022.
Taniela Tuisuva Rainibogi completed the podium with bronze for Fiji, just three kilograms behind Thakur.
Opeloge admitted he was confident he would win after overcoming disappointment as – four weeks before Tokyo 2020 – the team were told they could not travel to the Olympics due to Covid-19 restrictions.
He said: “That was tough. We trained three years for the Olympic Games… three years. Then the government wouldn’t allow us to travel.
“I took a break for two weeks, then I went back to training for the Commonwealth Games [just over a year ago]. We have been locked away in camp, nobody is allowed in except family for a visit, to see me train.
“It paid off. I was very happy with my performance today. I knew I would win.”
Silver medallist Thakur is confident India can add more medals to their total before the action is wrapped up on Wednesday’s last day of competition as they aim to emulate the nine they won in 2018.
He said: “We have two more heavyweight men (109kg and +109kg) and a woman (+87kg) all lifting tomorrow.
“India has good strength and they are medal contenders.
“We can have a party soon!”
The final medal of the day went to Australia’s Eileen Cikamatana, who broke the Games record in both snatch and clean and jerk to set an new overall record total of 255kg.
Canada’s Kristel Ngarlem won silver and bronze went to Mary Taiwo Osijo of Nigeria.
About the Author: Clance Laylor
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